Apart from being home to some invaluable African history, these museums are really beautiful. They will leave any visitor stunned anytime,any day.
10. MUSEUM OF MARRAKECH: MARRAKECH, MOROCCO
Located in the Dar Menebhi Palace, the Museum of Marrakech displays modern and traditional Moroccan art, books, coins, and pottery. The building itself is certainly part of the display though, offering a unique look at classical Andalusian architecture including a central courtyard adorned with fountains.
9. MELROSE HOUSE: PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA
This beautiful 1886 home features stained glass windows, paintings, carpets, and ornate ceilings. Originally built as a home by George Jesse Heys, the building gained fame during the Second Boer War when it was requisitioned for use as the headquarters of the British forces in 1900.
8. MUSEUM OF MODERN ART OF ALGIERS: ALGIERS, ALGERIA
7. ALEXANDRIA NATIONAL MUSEUM: ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT
Located in a former Italian-style mansion that once served as the home of the US Consulate, the Alexandria National Museum was officially opened in 2003. It houses over 1,800 artifacts from Alexandria and Egyptian history ranging from jewelry and weapons to statues and glassware.6. ROYAL JEWELRY MUSEUM: ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT
While it remains closed to the public since the revolution of 2011, the Royal Jewelry Museum remains a lovely attraction in Alexandria even if only viewed from the outside. The building is the former palace of Princess Fatma Al-Zahra, which was secured by the Egyptian government after the country’s revolution of 1952. The museum opened in 1986 to display the jewelry of the last royal family of Egypt, along with their extensive collection of art and sculptures. It contains over 11,000 displays, including 2,753 loose precious stones.
5. CP NEL MUSEUM: OUDTSHOORN, SOUTH AFRICA
Originally a school hall constructed in 1913 by Johannes Egbertus Vixseboxse, the CP Nel Museum features some of the finest stone masonry in the entire country and was named a national monument in 1981. The primary focus of the museum is on ostriches and the important role their farming plays in the local community, although the region’s general history is covered as well.
4. RED CASTLE MUSEUM: TRIPOLI, LIBYA
Also known as the Archaeological Museum of Tripoli, the Red Castle Museum is named after the historic building in which it’s located. Part of the castle was converted into the museum in 1919, and by 1948 the museum extended into the rest of the structure. Its collection spans 5,000 years, up until and including the mid-20th century.3. CHILDREN’S CIVILIZATION AND CREATIVITY CENTER: CAIRO, EGYPT
Cairo’s children’s museum was opened to the public in 2012. A trip to the museum begins with a look at the Nile and how the famous river has changed throughout the millennia. Through the journey, children learn about dinosaurs, early man, modern animals, and Egyptian history. There is also an area that focuses on the future of science and outer space. Outside, the museum hosts a garden filled with living birds, butterflies, and fish, along with an outdoor excavation area.
2. IZIKO SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
This museum was open to the public in 1825, making it the country’s first. It moved into its current location in 1897, and the museum offers exhibits on a variety of subjects including zoology, paleontology, and archaeology.1. ROVA OF ANTANANARIVO: ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR
The Rova of Antananarivo is closed for renovations right now, but it has served as a museum since the French colonized the country in 1896. Before that, the massive structure served as a home to the country’s royalty ever since 1610. In 1995, a fire caused massive damage to numerous structures on the property and the 1,466 undamaged pieces of the museum’s collection had to be moved to the Andafiavaratra Palace that was once home to the nation’s Prime Minister.
After the renovations are completed, the Rova of Antananarivo will resume its role as the area’s primary history museum.
